Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a former presidential aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has announced that he will not pursue legal action to dispute the results of the party’s May 25, 2026, presidential primary, even though he previously alleged major irregularities and procedural violations during the process.
In a follow-up statement issued on Monday titled “My campaign, the silent majority and the future of our democracy,”
Hayatu-Deen explained that his decision was guided by a desire for party cohesion and the ultimate goal of establishing a dependable opposition, placing those priorities ahead of his personal political goals.
This development follows his decision to distance himself from the primary proceedings just days earlier by refusing to attend the declaration of the election results, pointing to reports of ballot manipulation and raising doubts about the integrity of the vote.
In a post shared across his social media pages on May 26, right before the vote collation started, Hayatu-Deen declared, “I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today. I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed.”
Questioning whether the party was truly living up to the democratic standards it demands on a national stage, he added, “How can the ADC criticise INEC for election interference and the falsification of results, and yet tolerate the same within its own house? I will therefore be taking advice on my next steps.”
Those specific comments sparked widespread rumors that the former presidential hopeful was preparing to take the matter to court or formally contest the primary victory.
However, in his newest public update, Hayatu-Deen revealed that he changed his line of action following deep deliberations with his political network and stakeholders.
“I have decided, after careful reflection and wide consultation, that I will not challenge the outcome in court. Nigeria urgently requires a strong, credible and united opposition. That objective must always remain larger than individual ambition or temporary political disappointment,” he said.
Though he chose not to provide specific details regarding the alleged misconduct, Hayatu-Deen maintained that the primary’s execution fell short of his standards and noted that he had raised his concerns confidentially with the party’s leadership.
“The outcome of the May 25 primary did not fully meet my expectations, and I have communicated my deep concerns about certain processes and procedural matters directly and privately to the leadership of the party,” he stated.
“I trust that those concerns will be reviewed in the spirit of continuous improvement, because any party that aspires to lead Nigeria must first demonstrate democratic discipline and integrity within its own walls.”
Hayatu-Deen, who previously ran for the presidency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2022 before moving to the ADC, noted that he entered the contest believing the party could introduce a fresh political culture built on integrity, clear ideology, and internal democracy.
“I joined the ADC because I sincerely believed that the party represented an opportunity to build something different — a credible opposition movement anchored on a robust ideology, integrity, internal democracy and national renewal,” he said.
Throughout his travels and campaign stops, he noted that his interactions with citizens nationwide confirmed that a vast number of Nigerians still desire capable and principled leadership, despite widespread public disillusionment with politicians.
He referred to this large segment of voters as the nation’s “silent majority” — everyday citizens who might not dominate national debates but deeply value fairness, accountability, and strong governance.
“These are Nigerians who may not always dominate public discourse or social media conversations, but who carry within them a quiet and enduring hope for a better country,” he said.
“Nigerians who still believe that leadership matters. Nigerians who still believe that integrity matters. Nigerians who are not asking for perfection, but who long for a high quality of life, a safer and more secure society, fairness, equity, competence and compassion in governance.”
Despite the setback at the primary, Hayatu-Deen implored his followers to stand firmly by the core principles that guided his political journey.
“What I will carry forward from this campaign is not bitterness, but gratitude,” he said, extending his appreciation to volunteers, donors, party members, and well-wishers across Nigeria.
He also admonished Nigerians to keep believing in the nation’s democratic potential.
“Please do not stop believing. Do not surrender your hope to cynicism. Do not accept dysfunction as normal. And do not stop believing in the possibility of a better nation.”
Hayatu-Deen concluded by stating that while his presidential run has concluded, the broader fight for a national rebirth is far from finished.
“This campaign may have come to an end, but the larger task of building a stronger, fairer and more prosperous Nigeria continues. And that cause remains worthy of our collective effort.”
His pronouncement comes at a crucial time when opposition groups are looking to reorganize themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, amid widespread public worry over economic strain, security threats, and administrative shortcomings.
The ADC primary had drawn intense scrutiny as part of broader movements by opposition stakeholders to construct a powerful coalition capable of unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming presidential race.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the winner of the ADC presidential primary, pooling 1,846,370 votes, while the former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen came in second and third place with 504,117 and 177,120 votes respectively.
